Expressing Sense of the House that the Federal Trade Commission Should Investigate the Publication of the Video Game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas"
EXPRESSING SENSE OF THE HOUSE THAT THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SHOULD INVESTIGATE THE PUBLICATION OF THE VIDEO GAME "GRAND THEFT AUTO: SAN ANDREAS" -- (House of Representatives - July 25, 2005)
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Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I appreciate the opportunity to speak on House Resolution 376. I would like to commend the resolution's author, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Upton). I agree with the previous remarks made by him.
Let me start by commending an organization, however, I have worked with over the past 3 years, the National Institute on Media and the Family, and its founder Dr. David Walsh, for uncovering and exposing this video game scandal. Dr. Walsh and the Institute on Media and the Family have for years been calling for an independent rating system on interactive video games. They have been national leaders on calling on retail stores across the country to ensure age-specific ratings are enforced. I agree, and I support an independent rating system and retailer responsibility.
The video game industry has a scandal on its hands, and parents across America have been given a wake-up call. Video games can be fun, but they can also be very powerful tools for exposing children to violence, sex and inappropriate material. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is not a video game. It is a violent and sexually explicit tool to train virtual victimizers in crime and sexual violence, and this was before the current pornographic scenes were exposed.
In a review of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on Amazon.com, it is described as "even more bloody, violent and sadistic than its popular predecessors, offering up an enormous 3-D city in which nearly any criminal act is possible. Players are free to steal cars, beat up the local population for their money or weapons, to make time with prostitutes, or to simply roam to their heart's content." That was a review before the pornographic scenes were made known.
Dr. Walsh has been, as I said, outspoken on this issue. Even before the pornographic scenes were exposed, Dr. Walsh, and I quote him as saying, this was not an appropriate game for our children, this violence training tool was rated "M" for mature, meaning the material was suitable for persons age 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual conduct, and/or strong language. The shooting of police officers, the killing of senior citizens for sport and winning points for sleeping with prostitutes and then killing them is not a game for 17-year-olds. It is disgusting, and it is a vile example of an industry with enormous potential being hijacked.
However, I would like to applaud two Minnesota-based retailers, Best Buy and Target, for their responsible and prudent decision to remove this so-called "game" from their shelves. I strongly support the intent of this resolution.
I would also like to enter for the RECORD two editorials, one from the Minneapolis Star Tribune and one from the New York Times, calling on action because of this game.
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